10 Home Improvements That Add Value

Home is among the most critical investments you’ll ever make, and it pays to take care of your home to value high. No one wants to waste money on projects that add no value or decrease a home’s value. You might be the best contractor in town, but without knowing the ins and outs of what goes into renovating your home, you’re just throwing money away. Making minor changes to your living space can significantly enhance its value. These include curtains, outdoor lighting, garden designs, and door locks. You can add value with these home improvements.

1. Repave Your Driveway

You may not think a resurfacing project like repaving your driveway would be worthwhile, but if you’re still driving on an old, cracked surface with more than two inches of standing water in the winter months, it’s time to invest in a new driveway. It makes it easier for you and any guests who come over to park their car, and it can also improve resale value if you decide to put your property up for sale.

When you want to add value with these home improvements, this project section can go one step further by adding drainage outlets and grates if your driveway is on a flat or low spot on your property. Without proper drainage, any precipitation that lands on your driveway won’t be able to drain off and will sit on top of the concrete surface until it evaporates or seeps into the foundation of your home. It’s the part that will make it worth the money you spend. You can get in touch with asphalt paving contractors to give you a quote for the whole project.

You don’t need anything fancy for drainage. Anything left in the concrete when it rains will eventually harden and crack. A simple and inexpensive garage outlet is all you need to divert away puddles from your driveway. You may also have to install a sump pump on your property if an enormous drain is required. Depending on the installation, you may qualify for a permit to free the entire process.

2. Install a New Siding

Siding has a lot of options when it comes to style and color. They come in wood, synthetic, fiber cement, and vinyl and can even be made of recycled materials.

The most popular siding material is vinyl. It’s cost-effective and easy to install, plus it’s weather resistant. If you choose fiber-cement siding, which is also very durable, know that it requires some maintenance to prevent staining. Wood siding can be stained or painted, but you should be prepared to replace any rotted panels as they appear.

The ideal time to replace your siding is when you’re remodeling or upgrading the look of your home. You can add value with these home improvements if it’s time to replace your roof.

Replacing siding can be inexpensive depending on your chosen materials and the product grade you buy. It’s helpful to find out how much it would cost to have residential siding services professionals install a new siding for you. Call several companies with your approximate address and ask for a quote. It’ll help if you get many quotes to ensure they’re all in line before handing over any money.

3. Pump Your Septic Tank

The sewer system is a critical part of life but not something many homeowners like to think about when looking into how to add value with these home improvements. It’s essential to keep on top of your septic system pumping and pump it out at least every three years.

Your sewer tank should be far away from wells or surface water sources. Be sure to keep trees, shrubs, and other potential growth away from the tank, so there’s nowhere for the wastewater to seep through if it leaks. It would help if you also placed it on a level area, not an incline, to help prevent any seeping wastewater from leaking.

You’ll have to dig a hole for the septic tank. It’s best to do this before calling a professional to install your septic tank. Put some white lights in to ensure you’ve made the hole correctly. If any light is coming from underground, you need to go back and move the earth around until no light can be seen from below. If you’re installing a new tank, keep in mind that it can take up to three days for one to fill with wastewater.

4. Landscape Your Lawn

A lawn can be a green and hospitable addition to your home that many people take pride in if you consider how to add value with these home improvements. In that case, it can quickly become a dirty eyesore with no value besides being an obstacle to your entertainment space or something you have to mow every week, so your kids don’t trip.

An average lawn care service should be able to handle any size job with little difficulty. You don’t have to work with an expensive company to do your landscaping. You can save a lot of money annually by doing it yourself or hiring a lawn care service that charges a reasonable hourly rate. Get quotes from several local landscaping companies, and find out their area of specialization before making your final decision. You should also see if they have any discounts or coupons available just in case it’s needed. Most companies will offer them to get more business during the slower seasons.

You mustn’t get complacent once you have finished, or your neighbors will start to notice the difference immediately. You should regularly trim the edges and ensure no weeds, especially when you don’t like using weed killer. Plant flowers and other plants around the edges of your lawn so it won’t attract bugs.

5. Maintain Your Pipes

When buying a house, you must ensure that your pipes are in good working order before you sign anything. You’ll want to ask as many questions as possible about the history and maintenance of the house before you move in. There’s no time like now to find out what problems may be lurking around the corner and how to add value with these home improvements.

Pipes in attics or outside walls will need insulation to protect them from the cold. You can use spray foam insulation so that it fills all those nooks and crannies, insulating them against future damage. Doing a thorough plumbing inspection with the help of a residential plumbing contractor in any home you want to purchase is helpful. Not only do you want to see if there are damages that need repairing, but also any issues that could lead to future repairs.

6. Remodel Your Kitchen

Your kitchen is the most critical room in your home. It’s not just where you cook and eat but also where countless conversations, worries, and heart-to-heart take place. And while it may not seem like it at first glance, kitchens work hard daily. But if you’re ready to give them a little love and attention, you can add value with these home improvements. You can take on smaller projects that require only a fraction of skill or money or tackle major overhauls that’ll transform your kitchen into an entirely new space for entertaining family and friends.

The kitchen is a natural place to store a lot of things. It can be clumsy and create unsanitary conditions when pots and pans are piled into cupboards with dishes or linens. Make sure you dedicate cupboard space only to the type of goods they will hold. You can search for a kitchen cabinet for sale from different sources and compare prices before buying.

7. Install a New Roof

You can add value with these home improvements to improve your quality of life and make your house more appealing to buyers.

First impressions are essential. They’re the most critical things on your property. It’s always an excellent idea to inspect the roof before renting out your house or selling it. Even though you may have replaced your roof many times, it’s still recommended that you check for certain damages that could make it unsightly to those renting or buying your home. Roofing companies may have replaced the tiles, but mold or roots are still growing in the roofing system’s strategic areas.

The initial step is inspecting the roof and scoping out any damages. Have a proper inspection to know what needs to be replaced or repaired. If your home needs new roofing, you should hire a licensed contractor. They’ll take care of all the paperwork, ensure no hidden fees, and help you choose suitable materials for your roofing project. You can also install an extra layer of insulation underneath the roofing to prevent exterior damage from snow and ice in winter.

8. Install New Doors

You can use add value with these home improvements. Installing a new door or window can make your home more appealing to buyers. Plus, adding windows in the right place can give your home a modern feel and add to the natural ventilation in your older area. Doors are also an easy way to update the look of a room without having to go through all that interior decorating stress.

You might be tempted to visit a big box store and buy the cheapest door you find, but this isn’t necessarily the best option. You could end up with a poorly made door that won’t fit properly and will need to be replaced with an update or new entry in a few years. That might not make sense if you’re looking for a quick fix, and you can get something better for less money if you shop around.

Measure the space where your new door will go before buying it. If something is too big or too small, it won’t fit correctly. You can hire a door installer to take the measurements for you. Consider the style and type of material of your new door before buying.

You can get a good solid wood door that will last for years if you have the budget, but if you’re on a tight budget, then look at moderate-priced alternatives like plywood or high-grade composite doors with the look of natural wood without the price tag.

9. Clean Your Chimney

Your chimney is a necessary part of your home, as it helps to distribute warm air and smoke into the rest of the house. Finding out how you can add value with these home improvements, including cleaning your chimney, is vital.

Inspecting your chimneys can help maintain their integrity and extend the life of your home by preventing fires and damage. A worn-out or damaged chimney can lead to serious fire hazards and complications with your HVAC, causing damage to your home. If there’s water in the flue, it may allow moisture into the wall structure. A damaged chimney may also catch on fire, putting everyone in the house at risk.

You can hire a chimney cleaning service to clean your chimney. The best time to clean a chimney is in the spring, regardless of its condition. If you find water in your chimney flue with the fireplace not operating, you can make a call to a professional service to get this fixed at no cost until spring.

10. Install an In-Ground Pool

A pool is a significant investment by any measure. It can also be a way to upgrade and improve your home’s value. Hire a reputable company to install your pool. A reputable company has a history of doing the job right and at a reasonable price.

Above all, you must be sure they have experience with an in-ground pool and are familiar with the materials you are using to install your pool. They need to be licensed and bonded.

The cost of an in ground pool can differ depending on the size, where it is being installed, and what kind of liner you choose to use. Always ask questions when getting quotes from different companies. You can add value with these home improvements. Decide whether you want an in-ground pool or an above-ground pool. Remember, above-ground pools are less expensive to install. Still, the materials used for the liner and other components are less durable and will need to be replaced or repaired more often.

The best thing to do when considering how to add value to these home improvements is to measure your situation before you choose any particular project. The above home improvements will add value and improve the quality of life for you and your family.